Boys Appeal - Spring 2023

DearFriends,

Greetingsfrom“TheHill!”Thereisstillexcitementaroundcampusassevenstudentsrecentlywalkedacross theBoysHomestageandbecamegraduates Theyrepresentsevenindividualstoriesofsuccess,each overcomingadversityintheirlivesandgrowingtremendouslyintheirtimeatBoysHome.Their transformationsarethecombinedresultofhardwork,resilience,encouragement,structureandthelove providedbyourmission-drivenstaff.Thesegraduatesareonapathtoleadingsuccessful,purpose-driven lives,andwelookforwardtoseeingtheimpacttheymakeintheworld CongratulationsandonelastBigFive ("BigFive"isaprogramtoacknowledgeandrewardactsofkindnessorachievementfromstudents,staff membersandguests)toCody,Jareem,Jude,Mason,Mulu,RyleeandTim!

Thepastschoolyearwasaneventfulone!Allowmetoshareafewofthehighlights:

InJanuary,BoysHomewasaccreditedbytheVirginiaAssociationofIndependentSchools.Accreditation fromVAISisrecognitionofthehighstandardsoftheBoysHomeprogramandthequalityand commitmentofourstaff.VAISmembershipplacesusingoodcompanywithexcellentindependent schoolsthroughoutthestateandprovidessignificantopportunitiesforstaffprofessionaldevelopment Studentscompletedeightserviceprojects,andourKeyClubvolunteered288hoursofserviceinthe community.Itisencouragingtowitnessstudentslivingoutthepromiseofthesignabovethechapeldoor thatreads,“ExittoServe”

BoysHomeexpandedtheathleticsprogrambyaddingjuniorvarsitybasketball Theadditiongave youngerstudentstheopportunitytowearaBoysHomejersey,buildcharacter,learnleadershipskillsand studythefundamentalsofthesport

Studentsreturnedtobi-weeklySundayworshipatEmmanuelEpiscopal,ourfoundingchurch.Weare gratefultothecongregationforwelcomingstudentsandstaffasmembersoftheEmmanuelcommunity FortheremainingtwoSundaysofthemonth,studentsworshipatlocalareachurches.

IamextremelyhopefulaboutthefutureofBoysHome.InApril,theBoardofTrusteesapprovedafive-year strategicplan,whichprovidesaroadmaptostrengthenthefoundationofBoysHome,growtheprogram, increasethenumberofyoungmenservedandfurthertheimpactwemakeinthecommunity.Inthecoming year,thestaffandIwillexecuteplanstomoveustowardthevisionofthestrategicplan

ThankyouforyourcommitmenttotheBoysHomemission!Yoursupportmakesadifferenceinthelivesof thecurrentstudentsandcreatesopportunitiesforfuturestudents.Astheseniorsbegintheirnextchapterin life,Ilookforwardtowatchingthemgrowintomenwhopositivelyimpacttheircommunitiesandserveas rolemodels.Onceagain,thankyouforsupportingamissionthattransformslivesbyofferinghope,apath forwardandabrighterfuture

Onward,

ChrisDoyle|ExecutiveDirector

Mr.ChrisDoyle,M.Ed.,MBA ExecutiveDirector

BOARDOFTRUSTEES:

President:MrJohnWilliams

VicePresident:MrPerryWilliams

Treasurer:Mr.KennethRobison

TheRtRevMarkBourlakas|Bishop DioceseofSouthwesternVirginia

TheRevCanonMarkFurlow|Bishop Representative DioceseofSouthwesternVirginia

TheRt.Rev.SusanHaynes|Bishop DioceseofSouthernVirginia

TheRevCanonRoyHoffman|Representative DioceseofSouthernVirginia

DrDemetriaBates

Mr.MatthewCompher

TheHonPhilipDiStanislao,Jr

TheRevEmilyEdmondson

MrEricGreenwood

MsKathyIngram

MrRobertMiller

Ms.AnnPatterson

MrDaleReed

TheRevChrisRoussell

Mr.Bernard"Bud"Syme

MrRamonWilliams

MrRobertMills

MrBobbyTrice

AlumniRepresentative

UPCOMING EVENTS

JUNE 17 | Alumni Meeting

JULY 10 - 15 | Galilee Episcopal Church Sports Camp at Boys Home

AUGUST 2 | First Day of Classes 2023-2024 Academic Year

OCTOBER 28 | The 7th Annual Boys Home Harvest Hustle

OCTOBER 31 | P Buckley Moss Print Raffle Drawing

HARVEST HUSTLE

October 28, 2023

Boys Home's 7th annual Harvest Hustle will offer a 5K, 10K and half-marathon! The race will start and end at the Intervale Trailhead of the Jackson River Scenic Trail in Covington. For more information, please visit the race website at www.runforboyshome.org or contact Melinda.

Looking for a way to advertise your business? Boys Home offers event sponsorships at all levels For more information, contact Melinda

SPRING WISH LIST

New youth and adult bike helmets

Sunscreen

Insect repellent

Mechanical and #2 pencils

Index cards

Boxes of tissues

New backpacks

Liquid hand soap

Sanitizing wipes

Bath towels

Tim Kengni

Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, Tim arrived at Boys Home when he was 12. He spent five years here. While at Boys Home he enjoyed lifting weights, reading and philosophy. When asked what legacy he wants to leave, he stated, "I want to be remembered as truly being myself. I want to be remembered as Tim " He will continue his education at Mountain Gateway Community College in the fall

Rylee Callis

Originally from Mathews, Virginia, Rylee arrived at Boys Home when he was 14. He spent four years here. While at Boys Home he enjoyed hunting, fishing and working on the farm. He wanted his senior picture with the farm dog Pippy. When asked what legacy he wants to leave, he stated, "I want to be remembered as a hard worker " Since graduation, Rylee is working with a family friend at his contracting business in Mathews Eventually, he wants to pursue a job with Dominion Energy

Mason Peterson

Originally from Stevensville, Montana, Mason arrived at Boys Home when he was 14. He spent four years here. While at Boys Home he enjoyed playing soccer When asked what legacy he wants to leave, he stated, "I want to be an inspiration to the next generation of Boys Home to achieve Group 4 and be great!" (Group 4 is the highest achievement in the program based on the student's performance in school, behavior and chore completion.) Mason will continue his education at Mountain Gateway Community College He will study welding in the fall.

Cody Payne

Originally from Warrenton, Virginia, Cody spent seven years at Boys Home. While here he enjoyed working with the animals on the farm, reading, basketball and football. When asked what legacy he wants to leave, he stated, "I want to be remembered as a silent leader." Cody will continue his education at Mountain Gateway Community College in the fall

Jareem Reid

Originally from Somerset, New Jersey, Jareem arrived at Boys Home when he was 16. He spent two years here. While here he enjoyed playing on the soccer team. When asked what legacy he wants to leave, he stated, "I want to be remembered as a great soccer player." Jareem will continue his education at Mountain Gateway Community College. He will study welding in the fall.

Jude Dostal

Originally from Alliance, Ohio, Jude arrived at Boys Home when he was 14. He spent six years here. While here he enjoyed listening to music and walking around the beautiful campus. When asked what legacy he wants to leave, he stated, "I want to be remembered as a hard worker." Jude has already begun a full-time job at Jeter-Watson Elementary School in custodial work. His goal is to save money and eventually buy his own place.

Mulu Slawta

Originally from Talent, Oregon, Mulu arrived at Boys Home when he was 13. He spent just over five years here. While here he enjoyed playing on the soccer and basketball team. When asked what legacy he wants to leave, he stated, "I want to be remembered as someone who gained a lot from the Boys Home program " Mulu will continue his education at Mountain Gateway Community College in the fall

The fifth annual Boys Home commencement exercise took place on Saturday, May 20, 2023. Boys Home was proud to celebrate the graduation of seven seniors In addition, awards were presented to staff, instructors and other Boys Home residents.

The following awards and recognitions were made:

Teacher of the Year

Katherine Farmer

Houseparent of the Year

Jessica Rhine

Key Club Outstanding Service Awards

Josh Eng

Cody Payne

Tim Kengni

The Tice Family Think About Contest

Carveon Lee

Farm Crew Worker of the Year

Rylee Callis

Martial Arts

Jude Dostal - White Belt

Mason Peterson - Most Improved

St. Anne’s Guild and St. John's Episcopal Church

Rylee Callis, Jude Dostal, Tim Kengni, Jareem Reid,

Mulu Slawta, Cody Payne and Mason Peterson

Boys Home Scholarship

Mountain Gateway Education Foundation

Mulu Slawta

Mason Peterson

Cody Payne

Jareem Reid

Steven Rogers Memorial Award

Mason Peterson

The Bill & Lang Wilson Scholarship Award

Cody Payne

The Shama Baggott Award

Jude Dostal

Barry D. Mays Memorial Award

Mason Peterson

Berlin & Frances Lineberry Scholarship

Jareem Reid

"Go Big or Go Home" - Derrick Cash Award

Cody Payne

Joseph D. & Hilda C. Dent Memorial Award

Mulu Slawta

The Matthew Foster Honorary Scholarship

Rylee Callis

The Sam Cunningham Award

Sage Custalow

The Harrison Resilience Award

Mason Peterson

The David C. Hall Memorial Award

TimKengni

Kiwanis - Paul Siple Memorial Scholarship

MasonPeterson

Richard Brian Snead Award

JareemReid

Donald "Pete" Dimick Memorial Scholarship

ChrisSilvas

Madeline S. Mumford Memorial Scholarship

MasonPeterson

The George Floyd Rogers Citizenship Award

CodyPayne

TheMichael Folland Award

RyleeCallis

Leadership in Action

TheCoyotes

CodyPayne

JareemReid

MuluSlawta

RyleeCallis

TimKengni

MasonPeterson

Rylee Callis delivered the senior speech

George Floyd Rodgers Award

Presented by Will Rogers

Grandson of founding Executive Director

The Rev. George Floyd Rogers

The Shama Baggott Award

Key Club - Outstanding Leadership Awards

Basketball - Team Leadership Award

Presentation of walking sticks

The Sam Cunningham Award

Time

The Michael Folland Award

Wordsmith offered the keynote address.

Jenny Fife Meet

Through a smile, the newest member of the Navigators Society Jenny Fife stated, “As a follower of Christ, I strive to live a life of helping others. I am delighted that I have the opportunity to leave a gift to the young men of Boys Home. The decision fills me with joy!” The Navigators Society is comprised of individuals who have included Boys Home in a bequest, trust, will or other planned giving instrument.

Jenny has been a resident of Roanoke, Virginia, since 1999. The move to Roanoke was prompted by a new rector position for her husband Richard with St. Elizabeth’s in the Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern Virginia. Jenny stated, “I was first introduced to Boys Home by being part of the Episcopal Diocese. I have been an active member my whole life. Boys Home and its mission are truly a jewel of the Episcopal church. I was blown away during my visit to campus for the 2022 Fall Open House. The visit electrified me after hearing about the program and messages from staff and students The students spoke candidly about their lives at Boys Home and their faith journeys”

Jenny’s passion for at-risk youth began many years before her visit in 2022 After twenty-eight years as a public educator in Charlottesville, Albemarle County and Roanoke, Virginia, she was ready to retire She spent the next seven years working as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for neglected or abused children in the foster care system “It truly makes me happy to see a child succeed Places like Boys Home are a blessing to young men in need of assistance It is a place for them to flourish The model takes the student where they are developmentally and moves them toward success”

During the interview, Jenny was asked about the process for arranging the legacy gift She stated, “It was easy! The decision was made when my husband and I were reviewing our wills Like every teacher in Virginia, I had an insurance policy Boys Home felt like a wonderful fit for that policy I called Virginia Retirement System (VRS) and asked for a form to change my beneficiary Once I completed the form, I mailed it back and they made the change My advice to those interested in a similar gift would be to think creatively about a way to access different funds or creative ways to help. I sincerely believe Boys Home of Virginia is a holy place where you can see God’s work. I wanted to be part of sustaining that incredible story and its future through a meaningful gift.”

If you would like to learn more about planned gifts or have any questions, please contact Executive Director Chris Doyle at (540) 965-7704 or cdoyle@boyshomeofva.org.

Alumni Corner | David Harrison

BeforearrivingatBoysHome,Daviddescribesalifeofpoverty,neglect,abuseandlackofconsistentstructure.Ata youngage,heknewhewasnotheadedtowardapathofsuccess.InSeptember1986,DavidandhisbrotherMichaelwere issuedChildinNeedofServices(CHINS)petitionsthatsentthemtoTheShenandoahValleyJuvenileDetentionCenter Afterabriefstay,theywereacceptedintoagrouphomeinLexington,Virginia InDecember1986,theylosttheirbeloved grandmother,whohadplayedasignificantmaternalrole Afterward,bothyoungmenbegantohavesomebehavioral issues OnFebruary7,1987,DavidandhisbrotherarrivedatBoysHome Davidstated,“WhenIarrived,Iwas13, underweightandundersized Iwasexcitedabouttheprospectofawarmmeal IknewIhadtheopportunityforabetter life,anditwasuptometochoosewhatIwasgoingtodowithit”

DavidspentthenextfouryearsatBoysHome Someofhisfondestmemoriesincludefishing,swimmingbythecliffsat DunlapCreekandplayingbasketball.DavidsharedanexcitingmemoryofwhentheBoysHomebasketballteamplayed thenumbertworankedTygartsValleyHighSchoolinWestVirginiain1990.Theteamwasdownby21points.“Coach McElweeandCoachNealhadfaithinmetoleadourteamback.Iplayedthegameofmylifethatnightinthesecondhalf becauseIknewfailurewasnotanoption Westunnedthem!HearingthatcrowdgoquietwhenIhitthosefreethrowsto tiethegameisstilloneofthemostbeautifulsilencesIcanremember TheteamwentontowintheinauguralNFCCE NationalBasketballChampionshipinPhoenix,Arizona,in1990 IstillhaveasmuchBoysHometeampridetodayasIdid duringthatmoment DuringmytimeatBoysHome,themostimportantlifelessonsIlearnedwerethoseofpersonal responsibility,leadershipandservicetoothers”

AftergraduatingfromAlleghanyHighSchoolin1991,DavidattendedEastTennesseeStateUniversity Despiteastrong start,hesoonbecamedistracted Aftertwoyearshewassuspendedduetoanexcessofclasswithdrawalsandlosthis financialaid.DavidcontinuedhiseducationatNortheastStateCommunityCollegeinBlountville,Tennessee.Hestated, “BoysHomeplayedahugeroleinmeeventuallyreturningtoEastTennesseeStateUniversityandfinishingmy education.Ihadlearnedthatgivingupwasnotanoption.”DavidgraduatedinMay2002withabachelor’sdegreein criminaljusticewithaminorinSpanish

Aftercollegegraduation,DavidbeganhiscareerwiththeUnitedStatesArmy Duetoseveralinjuries,hisservicewas limitedtotwoyears AftertheArmy,DavidbeganworkingattheJamesH QuillenDepartmentofVeteransAffairs MedicalCenterinJohnsonCity,Tennessee,in2005 ThemovetoJohnsonCity,Tennessee,wasforthenewjobbutalso allowedDavidtobeanactivefather Hestated,“Iwantedtobecloseenoughtoraisebothofmydaughters,Abbeyand Jaden Iwasdeterminedtobeagreatfather,andthatbecamethemostimportantgoalinmylife Ihadapurpose”

WhileatJamesH QuillenDepartmentofVeteransAffairsMedicalCenter,heservedasaclerkintheemergency departmentandlaterasaprogramsupportclerkinaresidentialmentalhealthprogram Davidwasabletoreceive trainingin2013tobecomeapeersupportspecialistforthementalhealthresidentialrecoveryprogramatJohnsonCity VeteransAffairsClinic.Heenjoyshavingaroleinassistingfellowveteransworkforchangeintheirmentalandphysical health,beingself-directedandstrivingtoreachtheirfullpotentials.

DaviddisclosedthathispersonalrecoverybeganatBoysHome.“Isawapsychologistandpsychiatristinthelocal community Themedicalmodelwasalittledifferentthen,andthefocuswasmoreonwhat’swrongwithyouversusthe currentrecoverymodelofwhatareyouabletodoandidentifyingyourstrengths BoysHomefilledinthegapstohelp medevelopphysically,academically,emotionallyandspiritually TheBoysHomeexperiencepreparedmefortheroleI servetoday”

David’sBoysHomeprideisdisplayedatgraduationwhenhereturnstopresentthe“HarrisonResilienceAward”toa youngmanwhodemonstratesthedesire,determinationanddiligentefforttobouncebackfromdifficultorchallenging circumstancesandnotgiveup Davidstatedthathisbrotheristhemotivationfortheaward “Hehasovercomelife’s challengeswithatremendousworkethicandpositiveattitude,”Davidsays.

Inhisfreetime,Davidenjoysattendingsportingeventsforhisfavoriteteams:TennesseeVols,UNCTarHeels, WashingtonCommandersandtheAtlantaBravesaswellasfishing,boatingonthelake,travelingandspendingtime withfriendsandfamily.DavidmarriedhiswifeTammyin2021.WhilereflectingonhistimeatBoysHome,hestated,“I wasabletoexperienceloveandsupportfromsomanywhogenuinelycaredaboutmywellbeingandmylife”NowDavid livesoutthatvisionbypositivelyinspiringthecommunityaroundhiminTennesseeandtheplacethatchangedthe trajectoryofhislife,BoysHomeofVirginia

“The opportunity changed the trajectory of my life. For the first time, I had a chance.”

Former Trustee Appreciation Lunch

Staff/alumni-versus-student game

St. John's Episcopal Church in Lynchburg, Virginia, planted daffodils.

Sue Rogers Rose | Spring Open House Granddaughter of former Executive Director Dr. E. Reinhold Rogers

A Rite of Passage | Seniors to Alumni

AttheendofApril,sevenseniorsandstaffdepartedonanadventure.AgrantfromtheNationalPark FoundationandadonationfromtheBoysHomeAlumniAssociationassistedwiththetripexpenses The excursionledtoBuschGardens,Jamestown,GalileeEpiscopalChurch,FortMonroe,FortMonroeBeachandthe RiverfrontCanalWalkinRichmond,Virginia.WhileatBuschGardens,severalchallengesweremadetoseewho wouldridethetallestrollercoaster WhenthegroupwasatGalileeEpiscopalChurchinVirginiaBeach,Virginia, theyparticipatedinayouthworshipservice,gamesandacookout Inaddition,anoutingtoCaptainGeorge’s SeafoodRestaurantwasanexcitingexperience.Forthefirsttime,manyyoungmenlearnedhowtocrackand enjoycrablegs Thetripprovidedtimeforfun,education,worshipandanopportunityforthestudentstobond andcelebratealifemilestone,highschoolgraduation

Followingthetrip,thetwo-dayseniorchallengetookplaceatthebeginningofMay Thegraduatingclasswas testedmentally,physicallyandemotionallyastheytrekkedthe1,200-acrepropertyofBoysHome,coveringover tenmilesintwodays Thestudentsworkedtogethertocompleteavarietyofdifficulttasks Throughoutthe challenge,thegroupwastestedonthehistoryofBoysHome,helpingpreparethemtobecomeinformedalumni LandscapeManagerJoshBrownwasoneofthestaffmemberswhoassistedwiththeseniorchallenge.Hestated, “Ihavebeenapartofthechallengesinceitbeganin2018 Atapointinthechallengewhenmostteamsfallapart, thisteamcametogether Theyleanedononeanotherandpushedforward Ihaveneverseenagroupconnectin suchauniquewaytosucceed.”Theteamunityearnedthegroupthebestcompletiontimetodate,andeach teammemberearnedTheLeadershipinActionawardattheBoysHomeGraduationandAwardsCeremony

Followingtherigorousseniorchallenge,thenewBoysHomealumnirecognitiondinneroccurredonMay19 Theguestsincludedexistingalumni,seniorsandtheirfamilies TheseniorslearnedtheimportanceoftheBoys HomeAlumniAssociation’smotto,“Fewhavelivedaswe.”Thegraduatingclassjoinedauniquegroupof brothers AlumnusDannyCalewasoneofthespeakers Heusedtheanalogyofatoolboxtheyoungmenhave nowbeengiftedbyBoysHome Atoolboxfulloflifelessonsandskillstheycanusethroughouttheirlives

During thedinner,BoysHomeexecutiveleadersofferedwordsofencouragementtotheClassof2023.Thegroupwas eachgiftedwithaclassring,aBoysHomeAlumniAssociationshirtandareligiousnecklacefromtheReverend AnneGrizzle

TheentireBoysHomecommunityisextremelyproudofthegraduatingseniorclassandwishesthemwellin theirfutureendeavors.MayyoualwaysrememberthatyouhaveahomeatBoysHome.

Josh Brown on the grill

Senior challenge

New alumni recognition dinner

Alumnus

Danny Cale

Senior challenge

Jareem and Cody

Senior trip - Jamestown, VA